Breaking news: Politicians in Wyoming have way too much time on their hands. Having run out of things to whittle, State Rep. David Miller, R-Riverton, has introduced House Bill 85, which calls for a whole list of batshit crazy things.

The bill, which passed an initial voice-vote, would create a state-run government continuity task force that would evaluate the circumstances that would be required to institute such things as a state-run draft, standing army, state currency, aircraft, and, of course, an aircraft carrier. Because that's what you need in a mountainous state in the middle of the country. Maybe it would be outfitted with toboggan rails and slalom F-35's down the snowy peaks. Such "circumstances" might include the dissolution of the American government, national or global economic collapse, or really any major act of an angry God (it's probably a safe bet that global warming wasn't mentioned).

Quoth State Rep. Lorraine Quarberg, R-Thermopolis:

I don't think there's anyone in this room today what would come up here and say that this country is in good shape, that the world is stable and in good shape - because that is clearly not the case. To put your head in the sand and think that nothing bad's going to happen, and that we have no obligation to the citizens of the state of Wyoming to at least have the discussion, is not healthy.

Mmm, folksy, but not entirely crazy. Of course it's a good idea to plan of various contingencies. Natural disasters happen, yes, and economic meltdowns? Certainly. But there's a line between talking about it and forming a task-force. Particularly a task force that contemplates aircraft carriers. That's when you go from "prudent" to "wacko".

Other House members were in favor of the legislation, saying there was no harm in preparing for the worst. Y'know, except for wasting a ton of time and your constituents' tax dollars. There are two more house-votes the bill must pass before it would be sent to senate. Lawmakers in 6 other states have tried to introduce similar bills in recent years, all of which failed. This one will fail, too, because it's astonishingly dumb. [Trib.com via Reason via Fark]